Please help me choose a netbook!

mapleleaf1010

isofa wrote: »

Another vote for the Samsungs NC10/20 fantastic machines, and a lot more functional than a breezeblock... High quality. The Dell Mini is very poor IMO

They've just released a newer model but it's more expensive.

Why do you think the Dell Mini is very poor?

mapleleaf1010

Another question for you: I have Microsoft Office on my Dell home computer. Can I use the same license if I buy a netbook?

-TangleFoot-

mapleleaf1010 wrote: »

Can I use the same license if I buy a netbook?

Probably not. It's technically feasible, but the legality of doing so is somewhat fuzzy.

mapleleaf1010

-TangleFoot- wrote: »

Probably not. It's technically feasible, but the legality of doing so is somewhat fuzzy.

What would be the best place to buy a new license then?

-TangleFoot-

I don't know. I've always installed OpenOffice.org on my computers.

tightandproud

mapleleaf1010 wrote: »

Why do you think the Dell Mini is very poor?

I studied marketing at uni and we looked at Dell's business model as a case study, my memory's a bit hazy on this (much like all knowledge I had gained throughout my studies) but if I remmeber correctly, Dell is very efficient at mass producing machines using a standardised manufacturing process and mass produced interchangeable parts, hence the reason they are able to easily customise machines to individual orders and keep their prices down. Think of it like the McDonalds of the computer world, instead of buns they use chassis, instead of beef patties they use CPU's, and you can order it with or without gherkins. Is McDonald's cheap? yes. Is it quality? Hardly.

isofa

mapleleaf1010 wrote: »

Why do you think the Dell Mini is very poor?

The Mini 9 has been scrapped by Dell and was nothing like the Samsung's for build quality, the keyboard and "mouse" buttons weren't good.

The Mini 10 is slower than most other netbooks (running a 1.33GHz Atom, can't play video very well), the battery is useless lasting for 1 to 2 hours where you can get 7 to 8 out of the Samsung's. It's 1,024 x 576 resolution is not a standard "netbook" size. The mouse buttons and trackpad are even worse than the previous model.

I don't know much about the Mini 12, but from what I've heard it is a similar performer, especially with battery life.

IMO to be avoided.

isofa

mapleleaf1010 wrote: »

Another question for you: I have Microsoft Office on my Dell home computer. Can I use the same license if I buy a netbook?

Most Office licences cover the installation on both a desktop and a laptop, check the details with Microsoft...

mapleleaf1010

isofa wrote: »

Most Office licences cover the installation on both a desktop and a laptop, check the details with Microsoft...

I have a laptop (not a desktop), but I'll check with Microsoft anyway.